The Institute for Democracy and Mediation – IDM is dedicated to consolidating participatory governance and democratic institutions, EU integration processes, civil society development, regional cooperation and security through independent research, capacity building and engagement of societal players.
Over its 25-year history, IDM has amassed a wealth of capabilities, experiences, and successful practices across its areas of expertise. It has cultivated an independent and trustworthy reputation, earning respect from the public, societal actors, and donor agencies. IDM has played a crucial role in nurturing civil society development in Albania and the wider Western Balkans region.
IDM delivers a wide range of services as follows:
Our Vision
Inform, Develop, Motivate for a democratic and prosperous society. IDM provides expertise, policy analysis, applied research, and capacity building for key societal actors to drive reforms and engage in evidence-based policy processes.
Our Mission
Our mission is to advance societal capacities, generate and provide knowledge, skills and expertise for inclusive policy-making and evidence-based alternatives to bolster democracy and sustainable development.
Our Timeline
Team
Sotiraq Hroni is a former Albanian diplomat, an adviser to Albanian Prime Minister (1997), and adviser to the President of the Republic of Albania until the end of 1999. Mr. Hroni is the founder and executive director of the Institute for Democracy and Mediation (IDM), a non-governmental organization that over time developed into a think tank organization actively contributing to reforms and development processes in Albania.
Since its establishment, Mr. Hroni’s main responsibility has been with the overall management and development of the organization. His continuous commitments stand with offering relevance to IDM’s strategic development with the country’s development priorities. Mr. Hroni’s contribution rests also in continuous efforts to strengthen the organization institutionally, build a team of like-minded individuals, and jointly lead result-oriented processes in each of IDM’s programmatic areas. Currently, IDM operates in four different research areas including Governance, Security, EU and the Balkans, and Local Governance & Integrated Development.
Through his vision, Mr. Hroni has led the organization’s efforts to grow and achieve a merit-based identity in the civil society market in the country and the region. Moreover, he has built efficient cooperation and partnerships with public and private institutions, which have sustained and grown over the years. This has led IDM to enjoy a credible and remarkable reputation in Albanian society.
Executive Director
Gjergji Vurmo is IDM’s Senior Researcher on governance, anticorruption and EU enlargement. He is author of several IDM studies and reports related to civil society development, governance and anti-corruption, EU accession process, regional cooperation in the WBs and security issues such as radicalism and violent extremism.
Mr. Vurmo has served as Steering Board member of various networks of research institutes in the SEE region (PASOS, BCSDN) and is a contributor for several policy research bodies such as Center for European Policy Studies – CEPS Brussels, Balkans in Europe Policy Advisory Group – BiEPAG, OnThinkTanks etc. He has monitored and reported on Albania for well-known global reports such as the Open Government partnership (2013-2018), USAID CSO’s Sustainability Index (2010-2013), Open Parliaments 2012 report, and Freedom House’s Nations in Transit (2018 – 2020). Prior to working with IDM, Mr. Vurmo has been engaged with various think tanks in the WB region for over seven years.
Gjergji studied law at Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje and obtained his MA degree on European studies at the University of Bologna, Italy.
Languages: Albanian (native); English and Macedonian (C2, fluent); French and Italian (B2); Serbian & Croatian (B1)
Publications:
Senior Advisor (MA)
Rovena Sulstarova is the Manager of the Governance Program. Additionally, Rovena is IDM’s in-house legal expert that assists with legislation and judiciary-related projects.
Her work experiences include leading positions in public administration and educational institutions and in the management of donor financed projects and programs in the education field. She has held different senior positions in the public administration, including the Prime Minister’s office and the Ministry of Education and Science. Rovena has been a member of the Administration Council of University of Tirana, and has lectured on law and education in public and private universities. She currently teaches education law and policies at the Faculty of Social Sciences of University of Tirana.
Rovena holds a MSc in Law and a M.A in European Studies from the University of Tirana. She received her PhD in Education from the University of Tirana and she holds the title of attorney from the Albanian Bar Association.
Rovena is fluent in English and Italian, and speaks German at a basic level.
Selected publications:
Vurmo, Gj., Sulstarova, R & Dafa, A. (2021) “Deconstructing State capture in Albania: an examination of the Grand Corruption cases and Tailor-Made laës from 2008 to 2020”’.
Transparency International; https://www.transparency.org/en/publications/deconstructing-state-capture-in-albania-an-examination-of-grand-corruption-cases-and-tailor-made-laws-from-2008-to-2020
Sulstarova, R, Kasmi, J. (2021) “’Guarding the guardians: parliamentary oversight of independent institutions in Albania”’. Institute for Democracy and Mediation. https://idmalbania.org/guarding-the-guardians-parliamentary-oversight-of-independent-institutions-in-albania/
Sulstarova,R.., Kuci, B., and Agolli, M.(2021) “”Corruption and Integrity in Albania state police 3:00” Tirana :IDM. https://idmalbania.org/report-police-integrity-and-corruption-in-albania-3-0/
Sulstarova, R (2020) “’Integrity Risk Methodology for the Central Government”. Tirana: IDM. https://idmalbania.org/ëp-content/uploads/2021/01/Police-Integrity-Report_3.pdf
Sulstarova,R.., Xhaho, A., and Agolli, M.(2020). Monitoring Report on Police Vetting Process. Tirana: IDM
Sulstarova, R (2017) “Implementation of Bologna Process in Albania 2007-2015” Mediterranean Journal of Social Sciences, 8 (5): 53-59.
Sulstarova,R.., Kuci, B., Qirjazi, R and Agolli, M.(2019). “Report on assessment of state police ethics and integrity” ’. Institute for democracy and Mediation. https://idmalbania.org/assessment-report-on-state-police-ethics-and-integrity-june-2019/
Aliaj, Besnik & Sulstarova Rovena (2008) “Një platformë për edukimin politik në Shqipëri” ( A platform on political education in Albania). Tirana: Institute for Democracy and Reforms.
Sulstarova, R. (2012). The Legal Reform in Higher Education Facing the Exigencies of Albanian Society, Social Studies 6 (3): 75-82.
Governance Program Manager (PhD)
Denisa Shabani is the Head of Finance and Administration at Institute for Democracy and Mediation (IDM) and she manages the budget of 24 projects according to three departmental division structure CESA, LGID, RDC.
Before IDM, she has been working for Finance since October 2007 for international organizations, namely UNDP Albania and UN Women as a Program Finance Associate. She is an expert user of ATLAS financial system and this working experience has helped her to gain extensive knowledge in various duties including financial management of programs and project planning, budgeting, evaluation and monitoring process; preparation of quarterly basis financial statements.
Her responsibilities include certification of transactions for accuracy and propriety before submission to the supervisor for approval and action; analysis and interpretation of the financial rules and regulations and provision of advice and recommendations to a wide range of financial issues, etc.
She has assisted in 7 projects funded by the EU, Regional Research Promotion Programme funded by the University of Fribourg, Monitoring and Decentralization projects funded by the Swiss Embassy in Tirana, Regional project funded by SNSF, USAID, UNDP, BTD, Berghof Foundation, etc.
Denisa has an MA and BA in Business Administration.
Head of Finance Unit
Besjana Kuci works as a Project Manager and researcher at the IDM.
Ms. Kuci holds a M.Sc. in Political Theory and a BA degree in Political Science from the University of Tirana.
Over the last five years, Ms. Kuci has successfully managed projects on police integrity, strengthening of civil society and public sector approach to anti-corruption.
Ms. Kuci’s areas of interest include public institutions transparency and anti-corruption policies. Also, she has extensive experience in youth trainings on civic engagement activities through online platforms. She is member of the Swedish Institute Alumni Network.
Project Manager (Phd)
Besjana Kuci works as a Project Manager and researcher at the IDM.
Ms. Kuci holds a M.Sc. in Political Theory and a BA degree in Political Science from the University of Tirana.
Over the last five years, Ms. Kuci has successfully managed projects on police integrity, strengthening of civil society and public sector approach to anti-corruption.
Ms. Kuci’s areas of interest include public institutions transparency and anti-corruption policies. Also, she has extensive experience in youth trainings on civic engagement activities through online platforms. She is member of the Swedish Institute Alumni Network.
Project Manager (M.Sc.)
Romario Shehu is IDM’s security program officer and researcher, focusing on security-related programs and projects. His work centers on security sector governance, violent extremism, organized crime and foreign policy.
He holds a Master of Sciences in International Relations from the University of Tirana and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and International Relations from Epoka University. He is fluent in Albanian, English, and Turkish.
Romario is an Exchange Alumni of the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) in the United States; Aspen Fellow – Alumni of Aspen Romania’s 2023 Program; and member of the International Advisory Board at the United Against Hate in Madison, Wisconsin.
Romario joined IDM in 2016 and has contributed to the following publications:
Security Program Officer / Researcher
Megi Reçi is a civic space program officer and researcher.
Within IDM, she has covered projects on public administration integrity and transparency, anti-corruption, public participation in decision-making, civil society sustainability, cybersecurity governance and human rights.
Before joining the IDM team, she worked for an international organisation in the area of human rights advocacy and engaged in several projects in support of human rights defenders and journalists in Albania and the Western Balkans. Besides, she was involved in various consultancies and research projects concerning anti-discrimination, freedom of expression and rule of law. Megi is also an annual contributor to a number global publications on gender equality and the state of democracy and a member of the Western Balkans Cybersecurity Research Network.
She graduated with honors from University of Tirana, Faculty of Law and holds a Master of Science in Public Law. In addition, she has completed the Benjamin Franklin Fellowship at the Wake Forest University in the U.S. and has received intensive legal training from several European universities.
Megi is fluent in English and Italian and has basic knowledge of Spanish.
Selected publications:
Civic Space Program Officer/Researcher
Annual Reports
Board of Trustees
Dean of Faculty of Fine Arts University of Arts
Former Regional Police Director
Former Mayor
Advisory Council
Senior Legal Expert on Criminal Justice and Security
Associate Professor, Political Science Department, University of Tirana
Senior researcher of security governance and conflict-transformation, organizational consultant
Former Secretary General of Bruegel (Brussels)
Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy
Associate Professor of Social Work
Lecturer, University of New York Tirana
Lecturer, Canadian Institute of Technology
Networks
IDM Documents
Strategic Plan 2024-2028
Procurement Procedures and Policies
Anti-Fraud Policy
Whistleblowing Policy
Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy
Financial statement for last year
Latest Audit Report
ISO 9001 certificate
Stay connected
Subscribe to our contacts database
